System of connections for prevention of paralleling of generators on train units



Aug. 5 1924. 1,504,014

S FOR PREVENTION OF PARALLELING C. J. AXTELL SYSTEM OF CONNECTION OF GENEHATORS ON TRAIN UNITS Filed Jan. 28, 1922 HTA 7519// Car:

Inventor C! irwtor JAXteI I,

by l Q4/41 His Attorney CII Patented Aug, 5, i924a UNITED STATES YSTEM 0E' W YORK, PSSIGNOB, TO GENERAL ELECTRIC LLELNG QF GENERATOBS 0N Application filed January To all whom e' may concern.

Be it known that 1, CLINTON J, AXTELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Schenectady, in the county of Schenectady, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Systems ot Connections for Prevention of Paralleling of Generators on Train Units, ot which the following is a speciiication.

My invention relates to a system of connections for railway train units which are assembled indiscriminately to make up a train whereby the power Jfor a translation circuit on a train unit may be obtained from the generator on that unit or from a generator on another train unit without paralleling any of the generators on the train units.

A train unit such as a motor operated vehicle is sometimes provided with a source of current supply such as a motor driven generator which is connected by suitable switches to supply the power to a translation circuit for operating the electromagnetic switches for controlling the train unit, the lighting of the train unit, and for other purposes. Trains are frequently made up with a part of the train units as trailers which are not equipped with driving motors and are not equipped with separate generators tor supplying the control power tor the respective trailers, so that the control power for the trailers must be taken from the train units equipped with generators. Diiiculties are encountered in the prevention of the paralleling of the generators of the various train units, and one of the objects of my invention is to provide an improved system whereby the generators can not be paralleled no matter how the controlling switches on the various train units are operated. Those skilled in this art are familiar with the disadvantages oi' an arrangement in which the generators on the car units may be paralleled. Paralleling of the generators is objectionable because of the diiiiculties in properly distributing the loads ot the generators, because of the tact that in case the supply of current to one train unit is interrupted the generator on that unit will operate as a motor being driven from the generator on the other units, and because of other well known reasons.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference is had to the accompanying 1922, Serial No. 532,424.

drawing wherein I have shown in very simplied diagram a system oic connections for the prevention of the paralleling of the generators on train units. Referring to the drawing, the train units 1, 2, 3, and 4 are each provided with a translating circuit marked To control and lights as shown and also carry a pair of power lines indicated respectively as 1, 2, 3', and 4. A portion or" the train units are driving units and the other are trailers. As shown the motor car 2 is provided with driving` motors not shown), and the generator 10 is provided on the train unit for the purpose of supplying the power for the control of and the lights oit the train unit, and for others purposes. The arrangement is such that this generator may also supply the control power and lights ot other train units through their respective power lines as well as to the motor car 2. The double-pole two-position disconnecting switch 11 is provided for connecting the genn erator 10 to supply power to its own train unit and other train units as may be selected, and for disconnecting the generator 10 so that the power for the train units may be supplied by the generator of another train unit. The switch 11 not only connects and disconnects the generator 10 but also serves in one position to sectionalize the power mains 2 and connect together transposed portions of each section, and in the other position to interconnect the respective sec tions The single-pole two-position switch 153 is provided for selectively connecting the control and lighting circuits of the motor car to one of the power lines 2 so that the power 'tor this circuit is supplied from either the generator 10 or the generator of another train unit. The motor car 3 is also supplied with a similar generator 13, a double-pole two-position disconnecting switch 14 and a single-pole two-position control switch 15, all of which are similar to the corresponding switches of the motor car 2, and the connection of these switches is the same as that oi motor. car 2. In other words, the equipments on the motor cars 2 and 3 are substantially identical. A trail car 1, which is not provided with either driving motors or a generator for supplying the power tor the control, lights, etc., of this trail car, 1s connected with the motor cars so as to receive energy therefrom. This trail car 1 is provided with a single-pole two-position switch 16 similar to the switches 12 and 15 tor connecting the translation circuit on the trail car to be supplied with power from the generator on one ot the train units having a generator. The trail car a is also supplied with a similar single-pole two-position switch 17. Jumpers 18, 19 and 20, each having two conductors, are of the usual type for preventing cross connections and are provided between the Various train units so as to connect the electrical circuits of the train units together in manner to be presently described.

It will be observedthat one terminal of each generator is shown as grounded and it will be understood that one terminal of each controland light circuit is likewise grounded according to the well know practice in the railway art. By this arrangement the contacting metallic parts of the train units as well as the rails 'form a common conductor for the several circuits.

Vhile I have shownan arrangement in the drawing in which there is tirst a trail car, then two motor cars, and then a trail car, I would have it understood that my invention is not necessarily limited to such an arrangement, but is also apilicable to arrangements iu which one or more trail cars are disposed between several motor cars or in any arrangement of the train units which may happen to occur when the train is made up. The equipment on each motor car and the equipment on each trail car, in so far as this invention is concerned, is identical with corresponding train units, so that no particular care need be talten in making up the train units. Thus, either end of a train unit may he connected with either end of another unit, and the units may be assembled in a train in anyY tion desiredE The circuit supplied with power on tire various train units is indicated 4ITo control and lights, and for the salie et brevity will be hereinafter referred to as the translation circuit, With the arrangfrenient shown in the drawing, the generator 10 connected to supply the translation circuit tor motor car 2 and also the translation circuit for the trail car 1 The generator 13 is connected to supply the translation circuit tor the motor car 3 and the trail car 4. lt for any reason it should be desired to supply the translation circuits for all of the units from the `generator 10, the disconnecting switch 14 will be thrown to itsdcft hand position, thereby disconnecting the generator 13.` The translation circuits of all of the units are thereby supplied 'from the generator 1() without any further manipulation oit the switches. If it is desired to supply the translation circuits from the generator 13 alone, the switches on the motor cL will be thrown to their respective po sitions shown in the drawing it they are not already in those positions.

The disconnert 11 on the motor cur will be as to malte engagement with its ot contacts, thereby discon` enerntor 10 and connectin the translation ci =cuiU of the trail cai 1 directly to the generator 13 to he supplied -with power therefrom. ln order to energize the control circuits ot the nieto ear i2. the singie-pole double-throw s 1:? will he moved to ma re engagenie t with its right hand contact, ther by energ` zine; the translation circuit ot the motor car 2 directly trom the generator 13.

ln. order to connect all of the translation circuits of the various train units so as to he energized from the generator of another train unit- (not shown), as for e imple, a generator on a car to the right of trail car 1. the disconnecting switches 11 and 14 will be both thrown to their lett hand positions, the switches 1Q, 15 and 1.7 will he thrown to their respective right hand positions, and all of the translation circuit power for the various train uints will he received through the conductor 18 from the generator on a motor car located to the right ot the trail car el and not shown in the drawing.

lt will be observed that the connections ot each train unit and the connections between the train units are such that no mattei' how the various switches are thrown, the ,ofenerators on the various motor cars cannotbe connected in parallel.

in accordance with the ginevisions ot the patent statutes l have described the principle of operation of my invention together with the apparatus which l now consider to represent the best 4embodiment thereof. but l desire to have it understood that the up paratus shown is only illustrative and that the invention may he carried out by other means.

W hat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent ot the United States. is

1. The combination with a plurality of train units of a translation circuit tor cach of said units, generator carried byeach of said units, selective switch mechanism on each unit for connecting the translation cir cuit on that unit to be supplied with power `from the generator on the corresponding unit or from the generator on another unit. mechanically independent switch mechanism for disconnecting' the generator on any unit andconnecting` the translation circuiti or circuits supplied by said generator to be supplied with power trom another unit, and electrical connections between the said units controlled by the said switch mechanisms whereby the generators on the train units can not be paralleled irrespective of the operation of the sait switch inechanisn'is.

switch left-hand necting` the g;

rlhe combination with a plurality oit train units of a translation circuit for each of said units, a generator carried by each of said units, selective switch mechanism having a plurality ot operative positions tor connecting the translation circuit of any unit to be supplied with power from the generator on the corresponding unit or from the generator on another unit, mechanically independent switch mechanism having a plurality of operative positions carried by each ot said units for disconnecting the generator on the corresponding unit and connecting the selected translation circuit or circuits supplied thereby to be supplied with power from any other unit, and electrical connections between the said units controlled by the said switch mechanisms whereby the generators on the train units cannot be paralleled irrespective of the operation ot the said switch mechanisms.

3. The combination with a plurality of train units oi a translation circuit for each ot said units, a portion only, comprising plurality of the said units, having each a generator, selective switch mechanism for connecting the translation circuit on any unitto be supplied with power from any one of the said generators, mechanically independent switch mechanism for disconnecting the generator on any unit and connecting the translation circuit or circuits supplied thereby-to be supplied with power from another unit, and electrical connections between the said units controlled by the said switch mechanisms whereby the generators on the train units cannot be paralleled irrespective ot the operation of the said switch mechanisms.

Ll. The combination wit-h a plurality of train units of a translation circuit for each of said units, a plurality of said units having each a generator, a portion of the units not being so equipped, selective switch mechanism carried by each unit for connecting the translation circuit on that unit to be supplied with power from the generator on any unit, mechanically independent, switch mechanism carried by each of the said units having a generator for disconnect-ing the generator on that unit and connecting the translation circuit supplied thereby to be supplied with power from another unit, and electrical connections between the said units controlled by the said switch mechanisms whereby the generators on the train units cannot be paralleled irrespective of the operation oi' the said switch mechanisms.

5. The combination with a plurality of generators and a plurality of translating circuits, each generator and each circuit having one terminal connected to a common conductorj of a plurality of two position switch mechanisms, and electrical connections controlled by said mechanisms for connecting ther terminal ot any selected genthe other terminal or terminals elected circuit or circuits and preparalleling the generators irrespecthe operation ot said switch mechcombination with a plurality ci and a plurality of translating cirgenerator and each circuit hav- .l connected to a common conductor, ci a single blade two position switch tor each ot said circuits and a double blade two position sivitch for each of said generators, and electrical connections controlled by said switches for connecting t-he other terminal of any selected generator to the other terminal or terminals of any selected circuit or circuits and preventing paralleling the generators irrespective of t e operation ot said switches.

7. The combination with a plurality ot train units, indiscriminately assembled to make up a train and each provided with a translating circuit, a plurality of power lines, and switch mechanism for selectively connecting the said circuit to any one of the said lines. a portion of said units having each a generator and additional switch mechanism operable to one position for sectionalizing the power lines on that unit and connecting the generator to a transposed portion ot each section and to a second position for disconnecting the generator and interconnecting the respect-ive sections of the power lines, and electrical connections between the power lines of the said units whereby the translation circuit on any unit may be supplied with power from any generator and the generators cannot be paralleled irrespective of t-he operation ot the said switch mechanism.

8. rlhe combination with a plurality of train units indiscriminately assembled to make up a train and each provided with a translating circuit, a plurality of power lines, and switch mechanism for selectively connecting the said circuit to any one of the said lines, a portion of said units having each a generator' and additional switch mechanism and electrical connections for sectionalizing the power lines on that unit and connecting the generator to a transposed portion of each section and for disconnecting the generator and interconnecting the respective sections ot the power lines, and means for interconnecting the power lines of adj acent units whereby the translation circuit on any unit may be supplied with power from any generator and the generators cannot be paralleled irrespective of the operation of the said switch mechanism.

9. The combination with a plurality oit' train units indiscriminately assembled to make up a train and each provided with a translating circuit2 a plurality ot power lines, and switch mechanism for selectiveb7 Connecting the said circuit to any one of the said lines, a portion of said units having each a generator and additional switch ineclr anism operable to one position for sectionalizing the power lines on that unit and oonneeting the generator to a transposed portion of each section and to a second position for disconnecting the generator and interconnecting the respective sections of the power lines7 and electrica-l Connections in- @hiding two conductor jumpers between the power lines of the said units whereby the translation circuit on any unit may be supplied with power from any generator and the generators Cannot be paralleled irrespecv tive of the operation of the said switch ineehanisms,

In Witness Whereolz I have hereunto set Inv hand this 27th day of January,- 1922.

CLINTON J. AXTELL. 

